Claudia Batten Leaving Victors & Spoils to Launch Startup

Departure From Crowdsourcing Shop Comes on the Heels of Havas Purchase

One of the three founders of Victors & Spoils, which touts itself as the first agency built on crowdsourcing principles, is preparing to exit the firm.

Claudia Batten

Claudia Batten, whose most recent title at the shop is exec VP-new business, is leaving the Boulder-based company after its sale of a majority stake to Paris-based holding company Havas. Her next move is expected to be a startup in the digital space, executives familiar with the matter said.

Ms. Batten is earning quite a reputation for her ability to build and flip companies; she was also co-founder of Massive, a gaming ad network that was sold in 2006 to Microsoft. At the time, reports of the estimated value of the purchase reached as high as $400 million.

When Havas in April purchased a majority stake in Victors & Spoils, terms were not disclosed, but it was without doubt significantly less than Ms. Batten's previous sale. It's unclear what she's planning to do with the remainder of her stake in Victors & Spoils.

Along with Ms. Batten, Victors & Spoils was opened in 2009 by two former executives of MDC Partners-owned CP&B, John Winsor and Evan Fry .

"Claudia has been a wonderful part of the V&S team since the beginning," said Mr. Winsor in a statement. "We fully support her plans and look forward to staying connected as she explores new opportunities."

For her part, Ms. Batten would say only this via email: "V&S has been a phenomenal experience. I have learnt so much about this industry, and my passion for breaking new ground in the digital media environment has only intensified. We are on the cusp of so much change and I'm excited to move on and begin the next chapter of my journey."